Fahrenheit 451, Study notes of History

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Ray Bradbury Novel Guide Note The text used to prepare this novel guide was published by Del Rey Books, an imprint of Fahrenheit451_NG 8/19/06 11:53 AM Page A brillig_carrot_bianca The Random House Publishing Group Fahrenheit 451 Table of Contents Instructions Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 How to Use This Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Timeline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Before We Start Lesson Plan Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Author Biography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Book Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Character List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Synopsis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Vocabulary Definition List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Pre-Reading Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Novel Road Map to Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Overall Grading Rubric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Target on Text Part One: The Hearth and the Salamander Teaching Essentials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Part Two: The Sieve and the Sand Teaching Essentials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Part Three: Burning Bright Teaching Essentials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Reflect on Reading Lesson Plan Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Discussion Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Activities/Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Pre-Reading Question Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Final Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Answer Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 Fahrenheit451_NG 8/19/06 11:53 AM Page C 6 Fahrenheit 451 Bradbury Theatre. The Martian Chronicles became a mini-series in 1980; Something Wicked This Way Comes became a disappointing feature film in 1983; and Fahrenheit 451 was famously, if not exactly faithfully, filmed in 1966 by famous French director François Truffaut (his only English-language picture), starring Julie Christie. Bradbury has received the World Fantasy Award and Stoker Award for life achievement and the Science Fiction Writers Association Grand Master Award, and he is a Science Fiction Hall of Fame Living Inductee. On November 17, 2004, President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, presented Bradbury a National Medal of the Arts. In addition to his many literary prizes, Bradbury also has a couple of astronomical tributes: There is an asteroid named in his honor, (9766) Bradbury, and an Apollo astronaut named a moon crater “Dandelion Crater” after Bradbury’s novel, Dandelion Wine (which, ironically, is not a science fiction novel). Bradbury suffered a stroke in 2001. He still lives in Los Angeles and writes daily. Sources: http://www.spaceagecity.com/bradbury/bio.htm, http://www.raybradburyonline.com/biography.htm Book Summary Fahrenheit 451 is set in a futuristic American city at a time when reading books is prohibited in an attempt to make everyone “equal” and prevent uneasiness of mind. Technology that entertains and distracts its citizens from all things worrisome or disturbing fills homes, schools, and even subway trains. The citizens live well. In fact, they live better than those in the rest of the world, and they are despised by others in the world because they have so much excess. Consequently, conflicts have arisen. Two atomic wars have been fought and won since 1990, but these events go relatively unnoticed by the country’s zombie-like citizens. Ironically, firemen (like the novel’s protagonist, Montag) are not public servants who put out fires, but storm troopers who burn caches of books. They are the censors, the “custodians of…peace of mind.” When Montag begins to question the status quo, when he starts to keep and read some of the books he’s supposed to burn, he soon finds himself at odds with the brave new world of which he is a part. Background Fahrenheit 451, like most futuristic science fiction novels, comments upon contemporary society. Very often, a writer will take some aspect of current society and extrapolate, imagining what would happen if that trend or behavior were taken to its farthest degree and then show us the (usually negative) consequences. Bradbury’s book is in the tradition of other science fiction novels such as Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World (1932) and George Orwell’s 1984 (1949). Brave New World depicts a Fahrenheit451_NG 8/19/06 11:53 AM Page 6 brillig_carrot_bianca Fahrenheit 451 8 Character List Below is a list of the major characters you need to know. Guy Montag: He is the thirty-year-old fireman who realizes his life is empty and oppressive. He searches for meaning in books and from others like him. Mildred Montag: She is Montag’s sickly wife who uses painkillers and TV to avoid facing her own problems. She doesn’t understand Montag’s strange behavior and wishes he would return to his old self. Clarisse McClellen: She is the innocent seventeen-year-old girl and outcast who teaches Montag to appreciate beauty, question his world, and seek happiness. Captain Beatty: He is the captain of the fire department who is well-read but hates books. He notices Montag’s change and anticipates his every move. Professor Faber: He is the retired English professor and self-proclaimed coward who blames himself and others like him for the oppressive state of society. He teaches Montag about the importance of books and helps Montag carry out his plan. Granger: He is the leader of the book people who has a plan to preserve literature through the Dark Age until they are ready to rebuild. Mrs. Phelps: She is one of Mildred’s zombie-like friends who seems unconcerned that her husband is fighting in the war. Mrs. Bowles: She is another one of Mildred’s friends who leads an empty life and does not care that she has lost three husbands and that her children hate her. Stoneman and Black: They are firemen who perform their duties without question. Before We Start Handout 1 Name Date Hour Ray Bradbury was born on August 22, 1920, four days after the ratification of the 19th amendment to the Constitution (guaranteeing women’s right to vote). Fahrenheit451_NG 8/19/06 11:53 AM Page 8 brillig_carrot_bianca Fahrenheit 451 9 Synopsis This novel guide offers strategies for critical reading and literary analysis. It also offers suggestions for discussing and debating issues surrounding censorship and the importance of being a critical and individual thinker. Finally, it serves to reinforce ethical attitudes, reminding you that citizens of a democratic nation must fight to uphold ideals set forth in the Constitution. Fahrenheit 451, with Bradbury’s rich use of metaphorical and symbolic language, creates a literary experience that offers immediacy and stimulates discussion. You are likely to be drawn to the hero and his journey from blind participant in a suppressive society to aware individual in a sterile, thoughtless environment to rebel against the status quo and, finally, to welcomed outcast in a forest of free thinkers. Allusions in Fahrenheit 451 illustrate the dangers of censorship, suppression, and thoughtlessness and compel readers to compare knowledge of historical and literary works to the themes in the novel that have universal appeal and real-world connections. As recent and tragic events in the United States and around the world push censorship and free speech to the center of political debate, this 1953 first novel by Ray Bradbury reminds you of the importance of free thinking and the exchange of intelligent and informed ideas to protect the ideals of a democratic nation. Before We Start Handout 2 Name Date Hour Fahrenheit451_NG 8/19/06 11:53 AM Page 9 brillig_carrot_bianca 19 Fahrenheit 451 Target on Text ow it’s time to start reading. Target on Text contains a part-by-part progression of activities to enhance your students’ understanding and enjoyment of Fahrenheit 451. This guide divides the novel into three sections of roughly the same length. Each section has individual part summaries, target objectives, and a variety of activities to highlight key story and literary elements. While some of the activities are designed to be done individually, working with peers provides students with the opportunity to practice cooperation and creates richer results as the students build on one another’s ideas. N Fahrenheit451_NG 8/19/06 11:53 AM Page 19 brillig_carrot_bianca 21 Fahrenheit 451 Teaching Essentials... Just for YOU! Part One: The Hearth and the Salamander Part One Summary Montag is a fireman whose job it is to burn books and houses. After a satisfying day at work, he sets off routinely for home on the subway. On the way home, he meets Clarisse McClellan, a peculiar teenager who is inquisitive and introspective. Despite Montag’s confidence, Clarisse’s questions and thoughtful silences rattle him into uneasiness. Like looking into a mirror, Montag sees himself (his expressions and thoughts) in Clarisse. Her question, “Are you happy?”, initiates Montag’s individual thinking. When Montag arrives home, his corpse-like wife, Mildred, has overdosed on sleeping pills and tranquilizers. Clarisse’s question eats at Montag, and he realizes that he is not happy. Montag is now aware of the contrast between Clarisse and Mildred. Clarisse proclaims, despite his objections, that he is not in love. She asks him why he is a fireman and leaves him to consider his disillusions with life, love, and happiness. At the firehouse it is clear that Montag differs from other firemen. Captain Beatty is their intelligent leader. Montag fears the Mechanical Hound, a new firehouse mascot. Over the next week, Montag establishes a comfortable routine and continues to meet with Clarisse. Through her descriptions, Montag sees a new picture of society, one he hadn’t considered. Another week passes, and Clarisse disappears. With Clarisse gone, Montag begins thinking. He starts asking dangerous questions that arouse Beatty’s suspicion and prompt fellow firemen Stoneman and Black to consult the rule book about the history of firemen in America. Midway through the history lesson, the alarm sounds. After a horrifying scene where an old woman chooses to die with her books, the firemen return to the station in silence. Beatty, the only one untouched by the event, reveals that he has knowledge of the content in books. The events of the fire change Montag. Infected with “dis-ease,” he returns home with a stolen book. In bed, he cries. Montag feels unconnected to Millie, but his connection to Clarisse and the old woman has become real. Showing no concern for Montag’s feelings, Mildred off-handedly tells him that Clarisse is dead. As Montag swallows the news, the Mechanical Hound foreshadows events to come. By morning, Montag’s “dis-ease” consumes him; he vomits at the smell of kerosene. Mildred’s only concern is that Montag goes to work. Montag is angry; he wants to smash things because he can’t articulate what is really bothering him. Montag reaches for a book and forces Millie to read with him. Fahrenheit451_NG 8/19/06 11:53 AM Page 21 brillig_carrot_bianca 22 Fahrenheit 451 Target Objectives At the end of this section, students are able to: • examine irony used in the text • identify dynamic characters, character traits, and foils • describe the purpose of flashbacks • describe the setting and its effect on character(s), plot, and theme(s) • analyze internal and external conflicts • determine the point of view and how it influences readers’ perspectives • use synectics to analyze the text LESSON PLAN DETAILS PART ONE 1. Recognizing Irony—hand out and have students complete in class (15 minutes) 2. Character Analysis: Guy Montag as a Changing Character—hand out and have students complete in class (45 minutes) 3. Literary Element: Flashback—hand out and have students complete in class (20 minutes) 4. Character Analysis: Foil—hand out and have students complete in class (20 minutes) 5. Setting: The Surrounding Social Climate Creates Conflict—hand out and have students complete in class (45 minutes) 6. Plot Analysis: Internal Conflict Defines the Two Sides of Montag—hand out and have students complete in class (35 minutes) 7. Narration: Point of View—hand out and have students complete in class (20 minutes) 8. Guy Montag: Dynamic Character—hand out and have students complete in class (25 minutes) 9. Exploring Abstract Ideas Through Synectics—hand out and have students complete in class (25 minutes) Discussion Questions: Part One (1 class period) Fahrenheit451_NG 8/19/06 11:53 AM Page 22 brillig_carrot_bianca